COMMENTARY ON MARK


LESSON NUMBER 139


      Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

(Mark 13:9-11; Matt 24:9; Lk 21:12-15)


BEFORE THESE THINGS – OPPOSITION

 

 

INTRODUCTION

               There are times when words extend beyond scholastics, theological positions, and mere information, into a realm that calls for the utmost sobriety. Those are times when the accent is placed on discernment and readiness, preparation and stability. We must come to the place where all of Christ’s words are seen to be in this category. Actually, if Jesus did, in fact, speak only the words that God gave Him to speak (John 7:16; 8:28,38,40; 12:49; 14:10; 17:8), it could be no other way. God is not in the business of dispensing novel information. Yet, this very passage, which brings relevancy and sobriety to their peak, is often viewed from a purely academic point of view – just as though it had nothing whatsoever to do with us. That God would send Jesus into the world to deliver any message subject to obsolescence is an utter absurdity. Jesus Himself said, “My words shall not pass away.” In fact, He said this in the very discourse we are considering (Mk 13:31). As long as the world stands, therefore His words shall remain, pertinent, relevant, and profitable to those who will embrace them. It has been many years since the professing church has taken the Olivet discourse seriously. It has become a text of controversy and lifeless views. However, as we go through this text, we will search in vain for so much as a single word that will suggest this text is not to be viewed with the utmost sobriety and interest. It seems to call out to us to search our hearts and to prepare ourselves with the apostles for the events declared in this passage. There are overtones in Christ’s words that indicate the destruction of Jerusalem will not exhaust His prophetic utterances.

 

TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES

               Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.”

 

               BEFORE THESE THINGS. In his record of this discourse, Luke says Jesus preceded this warning with these words, “But before all these” (Lk 21:12) – that is, before they hear of wars and rumors of wars, before nation rises against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and before earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and fearful signs and wonders in the heavens. Although the signs Jesus has just related are most arresting, yet there is something to which His disciples must give their immediate attention.

 

               TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES. Other versions read, “watch out for yourselves,” NKJV be on your guard,” NASB “beware,’ NRSV “take care,” BBE “watch yourselves,” CJB “Look to yourselves,” DOUAY “watch out!” NLT In the Gospels Jesus says “Take heed” no less than fourteen times, “beware” ten times, and “watch” twenty-two times. This is the language of alertness, perception, and sensitivity. It is the opposite of being “dull of hearing” (Matt 13:15), and “slow of heart” (Lk 24:25). Taking heed is a posture of faith in which one becomes acutely aware of his surroundings and of the message they are delivering.

 

               Paul spoke of a spiritual condition that was likened to being “asleep” (Eph 5:14) – a state that called for one to awaken (Rom 13:11). This is a dangerous condition in which to be at any time, but especially when danger is lurking right around the corner. Spiritual life is such that collapse is inevitable if one is not prepared – i.e. ready to face the enemy.

 

               It is possible for a person to adopt a view of life in which it is imagined that protection is guaranteed independently of effort on the part of the believer. However, this is not the nature of salvation. In redemption, we are called into the process of salvation, and participate in the matter. All though it is God who works in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure,” yet it is equally true that we work out our own “salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12-13). Over the years I have observed that unbelief is totally incapable of grasping this reality. It completely eludes those who insist on walking in the flesh.

 

               RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION. Jesus tells His disciples that opposition will come from religious people – even their own people. The disciples will be hauled before Jewish councils, and even be beaten in the synagogues. This kind of treatment began right after Jesus went back to heaven (Acts 4:5-21; 5:17-40). Not long after that, Saul of Tarsus went into synagogues and brought men and women out of them bound unto Jerusalem (Acts 9:2).

 

               The very first oppression of the disciples came from the Jews, and was exerted in both the Temple and the synagogue. The Apostles were beaten (Acts 5:40), and Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:58-59). In this, they experienced the same treatment from the Jews as did the prophets before them (Matt 5:12; Acts 7:52; 1 Thess 2;15), and Jesus as well.

 

               SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE PRECEDES MORAL DECLINE. In this it is confirmed that a spiritual collapse always precedes a moral decline. It was so in this Gentile world, when they, although “they knew God, they glorified Him not as God” (Rom 1:21). Additionally, they “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom 1:28). As a result God “gave them over to a reprobate mind,” and morality at once began to plummet into unimaginable depths (Rom 1:24-27; 29-32). The same thing happened among the Jews. When Israel made it clear that they would not hearken to God’s voice, and would not submit to Him, He “gave them up to their own hearts’ lusts: and they walked in their own counsels” (Psa 81:12).

 

               The same holds true during the time of the New Covenant. Corruption in religion proves to be the prelude to moral decline. That is why spiritual Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth” (Rev 17:5). When the religion of a people is not pure, the fabric of that society will deteriorate. Until spiritual strength is attained, moral weakness if inevitable, and will grow “worse and worse” (2 Tim 3:13).

 

               A TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM. “ . . . and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” Jesus also said these same words to His disciples in Matthew 10:17-18. Modern versions omit the word “against,” reading that they would be brought before dignitaries “as a testimony to them,” NASB or “as witnesses to them.” NIV However, we know from the history recorded in Acts that no spiritual awakening resulted from a testimony to the kings of the earth. Rulers receiving testimony include Pilate (John 18:37),. Herod (Mk 6:14; Lk 23:8-9), Agrippa (Acts 26:2-28), Felix (Acts 24:22-27), Festus (Acts 26:24-26), and Caesar (Acts 27:24).

 

               At this point Jesus is not speaking of the success of the Gospel, but of the opposition the disciples will face in the declaring of it. The expression “for a testimony against them” accents that opposition. In other words, they will be a “savor of death unto death” to some, as well as “life unto life” to others/ (2 Cor 2:16).

 

THE GOSPEL MUST FIRST BE PREACHED

                10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” Other versions read, “must first be preached,” ASV has first to be given,” BBE and “has to be proclaimed first.” CJB

 

               THE GOSPEL. This is not the good news of what men can be, or what is available to them. It is the good news of what has actually been accomplished, not what can be achieved. It is news, or tidings, of something that has already occurred – something that has been received by God and is honored in heaven. The Gospel is not the proclamation of a goal for men, but of Divine provision for them. It is not a word about what men should do, but about what God through Christ has done.

 

               By its very nature, the Gospel cannot be used to promote purely human interests, or to generate wealth, or make a name for the individual. It is not a word about men, but the record God has given of his Son (1 John 5:10-11). These days, there is not a whole lot of this kind of proclamation. That is one of the reasons for the moral and spiritual deficiencies that exist in the professing church.

 

               There is a single message that is properly called “Gospel,” or “glad tidings of good things” (Rom 10:15). It is not a Gospel, but the Gospel! It is the only message in which Divine power is resident (Rom 10:16) – a power that is in order to salvation.

 

          MUST. The words “must first” are especially strong. The word “must” comes from a word meaning “it is necessary.” THAYER This can be the necessity of circumstance – like taking action to avoid danger, i.e., “ye should have hearkened unto me” (Acts 27:21) . It can be the necessity of a commandment – like “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Here, however, it is the “must” of Divine decree – the carrying out of a Divine purpose, like “Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:3). There are numerous examples of this latter definition, in which a Divine decree mandates what will take place.

 

  “He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer . . . and be killed, and be raised again . . .” (Matt 16:21)

  “ . . . all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet”(Matt 24:6).

  “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

  “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring. . .” (John 10:16).

  “For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15:25).

  “For this corruptible must put on incorruption . . . ” (1 Cor 15:53).

  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ . . . ” (2 Cor 5:10).

  “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein . . .” (Heb 4:6).

 

          These are matters in which man’s volitional capacity plays no foundational part. This is a matter of Divine government, or of the heavens ruling. When Jesus says the Gospel “must first be preached among all nations,” He is not declaring what men are to do, but what God will do. He is not saying, for example, that Jerusalem will not be destroyed unless men finish this work, or that His coming and the end of the world will be delayed until men get to the business of declaring the Gospel. He does not mean that if men work harder to preach the Gospel, then He will come sooner. Some men do teach this, but it is only because they are ignorant – and that is a condition that is intolerable in the time when “all the treasures of wisdom ad knowledge” can be accessed in Christ Jesus (Col 2:2-3).

 

          FIRST. On the Divine agenda, before the signs that Jesus has mentioned take place, the Gospel will first be preached among all nations. That must happen first! If we consider the destruction of Jerusalem, which in the equation, the Gospel must first be preached to all nations. If this is true, it will have to be accomplished between 33 AD and 70 AD – 37 years! Is that possible? Well, if God is in the picture it is! Some time before Jerusalem was destroyed – at least 15-20 years – Paul wrote of “the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Col 1:23). Paul wrote to the Romans, testifying that their faith was being spoken about “throughout the whole world” (Rom 1:8). The Thessalonians were told their faith had “spread abroad” (1 Thess 1:8).

 

          The Prophets foretold that not only would the message be heralded throughout the world, but that the knowledge of the Lord would cover the earth. “. . .for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14). Daniel prophesied of a time when the Kingdom of God would fill the whole earth (Dan 2:35,44). The Psalmist said, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord” (Psa 22:27). Paul told of the grafting of Israel into their own tree, and of the consequent spread of the truth which would be likened to “life from the dead” (Rom 11:12,15).

 

          It is apparent that opposition to, and hatred of, the Gospel cannot stop its proclamation. God does not even allow such opposition to surface until the Gospel is first preached. That was true when John the Baptist preached, when Jesus preached, when the twelve apostles preached, and when Paul preached. First the preaching, then the trouble!

 

YOU WILL BE GIVEN WHAT TO SAY

    11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”

 

          From the world’s point of view, Christ’s disciples were not trained speakers. In fact, they would not qualify as professors in most Bible Colleges and Seminaries. They would be totally unimpressive to the average pulpit committee. If anyone in our time saw, what they conceived to be, the smallest amount of potential in them, they would require that they have some additional education, and obtain some acceptable credentials. That is not only what professed Christian leaders would do, it is presently being widely practiced throughout the land.

 

          Yet, here we have the Head of the church speaking – the One who determines the course of events in this world. He did not select His disciples from the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, sanhedrin, lawyers, or chief priests. When He chose Paul, he separated him from his mother’s womb – before he was a Pharisee (Gal 1:15). When He called Paul, it was not because he was a Pharisee, for he counted those credentials to be only “dung” in comparison to knowing Christ (Phil 3:8). Paul’s qualification related more to him living in all good conscience, than because of him being raised up at the feet of Gamaliel. I say these things to emphasize that Jesus did not think as the clerics of our day. For me, that means they are wrong.

 

          TAKE NO THOUGHT BEFOREHAND. It was not a question of whether or not the disciples would be brought before councils, and rulers, and kings. That was going to happen. Therefore Jesus says when they arrest you and deliver you up.” NKJV A person given to fretting might set himself to prepare what to say at such a time. However, Jesus does not allow the disciples to do that. They were not to spend time worrying beforehand, NKJV or being anxious NASB about what they would say. Luke says that when they were summoned before these dignitaries, the occasion would “turn to you for a testimony,” or lead to an opportunity for your testimony” NASB (Lk 21:14). That is, God would so orchestrate the occasion that they would be given opportunity to speak what they had seen and heard. The King of kings would not allow under-rulers to put them at a disadvantage, so they would not know what to say.

 

          NEITHER PREMEDITATE. The disciples were not to use their minds and abilities of thought to mull over what they might say when called before men of social and political prominence. They were not to “premeditate” about such things, or “meditate” about it beforehand, thinking that would prepare them for the occasion. One translation reads, “nor prepare your discourse.” DARBY

 

          For some, this is a most confusing instruction, for elsewhere Paul told Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim 1:13), and Titus to show “incorruptness” in doctrine, using “sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Tit 2:7-8). He also told Timothy to “meditate” on what he wrote to him (1 Tim 4:15), and take heed not only to himself, but “the doctrine” as well (1 Tim4:16). That appears to require some form of preparation and meditation.

 

          However, Jesus is not telling His disciples not to meditate on the truth, but not to meditate on what they would say under circumstances of which they had little or no prior knowledge. They were rather to devote themselves to keeping, or maintaining Christ’s Word (John 14:23), letting it dwell richly in their hearts (Col 3:16). He reminded them of the necessity of His word abiding in them (John 15:7). All of that requires extended thought, or meditation.

 

          Jesus is here speaking of faith, which can reach into the unknown and settle the heart. Preparedness for the occasion He mentions consists of abiding in Christ (John 15:4, living by faith (Heb 10:38), walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:25), and maintaining fellowship with Jesus (1 Cor 1:9). By maintaining that stance, men will be available, as it were, for Divine direction.

 

          SPEAK WHAT IS GIVEN TO YOU. “ . . . whatsoever shall be given you in that hour.”

Luke reads, “For I will give you a mouth of wisdom” (Lk 21:15). This reflects the nature of spiritual life. When we speak, it must always be from within the context of where we are, not where we once were, or where we hope to be. Giving an answer not only requires correct words, but a correct frame of mind and spirit. It is one thing to be interrogated before you one is beaten. It is another to be asked to answer after you have been scourged. In being given what is appropriate, the Lord will take all things into consideration, so that even at that time, the disciples would not be tempted above their ability. What would be given to them would include what was in their own treasury, discreetly illuminated the Spirit (Matt 13:52)..

 

          IT IS THE SPIRIT WHO IS SPEAKING. Although the words came out of their mouths, and even their hearts, it was the Spirit speaking through them. The Spirit would not side-step their minds, for Luke says they would have a “mouth of wisdom – and that has to do with perception. The Spirit will direct them from within, where He would be dwelling. He would speak out of the context of the “communion of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor 13:14). The Spirit would come along side of them, and enter into the work with them. What a blessed assurance!